WSL2 Preview
Aston Villa Ladies FC
Manager: Joe Hunt
Key transfers in/out: While adding defender Danielle Lea from Everton to steady their back four, Villa have shipped out five players ahead of the new season. Duo Sherry McCue and Emily Owen and goalkeeper Caitlin Leach have gone to league rivals Sheffield and Bristol respectively.
Preview: After beating Spurs 3-2 in the SSE Women’s FA Cup 4th round, Joe Hunt and his team will be looking to keep the form up ahead of their season opener against Everton. Aiming to improve on last year’s 5th position finish, the Clarets will need striker Katie Wilkinson to carry on firing in front of goal.
Bristol City Women
Manager: Willie Kirk
* Relegated from WSL1 after finishing 8th *
Key transfers in/out: Bristol have been the most active side in the transfer market and while extending the contracts of 10 first team players, they have also managed to secure several loan deals from the top WSL1 teams. Most notably, they have captured three players from Chelsea. Millie Farrow, Jodie Brett and Rosella Ayane have all joined. Last week, Manager Willie Kirk deemed Hannah Short surplus to requirements and Short joined former teammates Lauren Townsend and Nadia Lawrence at Yeovil.
Preview: After gaining permission from the FA Women’s Super League management committee, Bristol City were able to change their name from Bristol Academy Women’s FC. The change will ‘mean a greater degree of financial security’ and with the backing and supporter base of a professional club now in place, Bristol will try and get back into the top division at the first time of asking. With key singings such as Millie Farrow, the Robins will go into the new season as one of the favourites for promotion.
Durham Women FC
Manager: Andy Thorpe
Key transfers in/out: Durham sold four players and signed four players in the transfer window. Sasha Adamson (Watford Ladies), Megan Borthwick (Newcastle United), Rebecca Salicki (Sunderland) and Sarah McFadden all came in, while Rachel Lee went out on loan to Bradford City and Julie Nelson, Caroline Dixon and Anna Moorhouse all joined Doncaster Belles in the top tier of women’s football.
Preview: Manager Andy Thorpe will look to solidify Durham’s place in WSL2 and will want to improve on last season’s finish of 7th. After beating Charlton and getting into the last 16 of the cup, Durham face Notts County and despite Thorpe saying it is “still early days” after their win, he will hope that their ongoing cup run will give them confidence entering the new season.
Everton Ladies FC
Manager: Andy Spence
Key transfers in/out: After defender Lindsay Johnson retired at the end of last season, Everton have secured versatile Georgia Brougham to add options to the defence. England u19 midfielder Jenna Dear has also joined along with youngster Alex Brooks who joined on loan in order to gain more experience. The FA WSL Cup’s change of format for this season has prompted many young players to do the same and join lower teams on a part-time basis. However, after a successful loan spell, former Player of the Season Nikita Parris has joined Manchester City permanently.
Preview: Finishing 3rd and one place off the automatic position is no easy task and after missing out on the top two spots last season, Everton will be trying to win the title this season and although losing experienced Lindsay Johnson, the Toffees have improved their ranks with Alex Brooks and the midfielder will be hoping she can help her team achieve promotion to the WSL1.
London Bees
Manager: Julian Broomes
Key transfers in/out: The Bees have had a quiet transfer window and signed no new players ahead of their campaign. Lucy Loomes and Sydney Hinchcliffe (Spurs Ladies), Katherine Huggins (C&K Basildon), Emma Whitter (QPR), Billie Brooks and Leigh Nicol (Millwall) have all left.
Preview: After a disappointing campaign last year, the Bees have missed an opportunity to strengthen and run the risk of another campaign languishing at the foot of the table. With key players leaving, Julian Broomes will need a side capable of grinding out results each week if they are to stay in the second tier and improve on 8th place.
Millwall Lionesses
Manager: Rebecca Sawiuk
Key transfers in/out: Millwall have been particularly positive this transfer window. Only one player has departed (Lily Agg – Birghton), while eight players have come in. Billie Brooks and Leigh Nicol have both joined from London Bees and Lucy Loomes has dropped down from Spurs Ladies in WCL1 to join the Lionesses. Loomes has recently been called up to the England u19 squad along with team-mates Grace Fisk and Rinsola Babjide.
Preview: Unlike London Bees, Millwall have used the window wisely and improved their squad considerably, albeit on paper at least. The Lions won two games all season and lost 10 of their 18 games, finishing 9th, and trio Lucy Loomes, Grace Fisk and Rinsola Babjide will play a key part in a side that underachieved last year.
Oxford United Women
Manager: Les Taylor
Key transfers in/out: Oxford have finalised extended contracts for nine players recently and above all, brought in foreigner Katja Hakala from Finnish side FC Honka and Nigerian international Ini Umotong from Portsmouth Ladies. Reading Women seem to be interested in a lot of Oxford players and they have signed five players from Les Taylors’ side, including former Oxford Captain Sahara Osborne-Ricketts who was released in December.
Preview: A mid-table last season has meant Oxford have moved to sign a prolific striker to boost them up the table. Inu Umotong has scored 20+ goals in each of her last couple of seasons and will be looking to add another impressive tally this season.
Sheffield FC Ladies
Manager: Mick Mulhern
* Promoted from WPL Northern Division after finishing 1st *
Key transfers in/out: Along with Millwall, Sheffield have also been positive in this window and, following their promotion, have kept their side fully intact. They have also bolstered their squad significantly with some new players. These include veteran defender Emma Lipman who joined from WSL1 side Manchester City after falling down the pecking order, and Jules Draycott and Emily Roberts (Notts County) who both have also joined the South Yorkshire.
Preview: After being promoted, a team usually aims to finish in a solid position the year after but after great work in the transfer window by Mick Mulhern, Sheffield should be looking at making it two promotions out of two.
Watford Ladies FC
Manager: Katie Rowson
Key transfers in/out: The only entry to Watford’s team is Manager Katie Rowson and this is despite their finish of 10th last season. After letting nine players go, including foursome Leighanna Robe, Emily Heaslip, Dawn Mallett and Megan Wynne, who have all gone to southern rivals Millwall, you would have expected the Hornet’s to add a few new players, at least.
Preview: As there were no relegations in WSL2 last season, Watford escaped dropping down to the third tier and Hornet supporters will feel the club should have strengthened to make sure this didn’t happen again. However, no new signings were made and the club face a mountain to climb if they are to move up the table.
Yeovil Town Ladies FC
Manager: Jamie Sherwood
Key transfers in/out: Hannah Short, from Bristol City, joined Yeovil most recently along with former and now new team-mates Lauren Townsend and Nadia Lawrence. Manager Jamie Sherwood also shipped out six players including Welsh-born Alys Hinchcliffe.
Preview: Finishing joint 3rd with Everton was a great achievement by Yeovil last season and a similar league finish would be welcomed this time out. ‘A season to remember’ is the clubs motto for their season ticket campaign and after getting into the last 16 of the cup, the Glovers head into the new season in high spirits.